Building Green into Complete Streets in the City of Lancaster, PA Karl Graybill, AICP, City of Lancaster Cindy McCormick, PE, PTOE, McCormick Taylor MASITE Annual Meeting King of Prussia, PA October 5, 2015
About the City of Lancaster Incorporated in 1742 Temporary National Capital during the Revolution Historic building stock (median home 100 years old) Surrounded by some of the most productive non-irrigated farmland in the U.S. ~60,000 residents in the 2010 census 7.34 square miles ~8,000 persons/square mile
Problem Source-USEPA Lancaster is one of about 770 cities nationwide with a combined sewer system, which releases about 1 billion gallons of untreated wastewater into the Conestoga River when overwhelmed during intense rainstorms. 518 miles of streets and alleys 110 miles city streets 11 miles state streets 572 total alleys 464 common alleys Cartway width: 40-44 feet ROW width: 60-66 feet Streets designed for cars
45% Combined Sewers 55% MS4
What We Are Doing Incorporating Green Infrastructure and Complete Streets concepts into plans, ordinances and codes Implementing Projects that integrate GI and Complete Streets Article VII. Design and Improvement Standards 265-31. Public streets. A. General street arrangement. The following design consideration shall be applied to all new streets within a subdivision and/or development plan. (1) Classifications; widths. (a) Street classifications and maximum widths (in feet) for new and reconstructed streets: Street Cartway Travel Parking Bike Lane(s) Sidewalk Planting Total Type Width and turn Stall Strip and ROW Lanes Curb Width Alley 16 --- NA NA ---- 16 Local 33 2 9 foot lanes 7.5 Shared lane markings 4/side 4.5/side 50 Collector 1 48 2-10 foot lanes 8/side 6 feet; 1 per direction of travel 4/side 5/side 66 Arterial minor 1 Arterial Varies 2 11 8/side 6 feet; 1 per 4/side 5/side 68 foot lanes direction of travel; or 5 2 11 8/side 4/side 5/side 80 feet with foot travel minimum 1 lanes, 1- foot painted 10 center or physical turn barrier buffer Determined by state and federal government Note: 1. Sidewalks on collector and minor arterial streets may be widened to a maximum of 8 feet to accommodate high pedestrian traffic in the vicinity of shopping and service facilities, schools, recreation areas, community facilities, and other highvolume generators of pedestrian traffic. In the event sidewalks are widened to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic, the total ROW width may be increased accordingly. (2) Right-of-way widths, determined by the combination of the components shown above, may be increased by the Planning Commission in consideration of the following: anticipated average daily vehicle trips generated by and through the project area, truck traffic, municipal maintenance and public safety needs, on-street parking demand, pedestrian safety, accessibility for persons with disabilities, mass transit needs, bicycle lanes, landscape areas, snow removal impacts, required utility easements or continuation of adjacent development patterns. (3) Streets shall be logically related to the topography so as to produce reasonable grades, satisfactory drainage and suitable building sites and shall have horizontal and vertical alignments in accordance with Subsections C and D below.
Complete streets are...... designed and built for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses, emergency vehicles, and automobiles.... connected and create a comprehensive, integrated network for all modes.... both new and retrofit projects.
Green Infrastructure is...... technologies that replicate and restore the natural hydrologic cycle and reduce the volume of stormwater entering the sewer system by: o Infiltrate o Evaporate o Transpire o Capture and reuse rainfall
2010 Green Infrastructure Plan Key Plan Recommendations To provide more livable, sustainable neighborhoods for City residents and reduce combined sewer overflows and nutrient loads 1. Implement a comprehensive demonstration program a) Review existing CIPs b) GI Funding for Private 2. Implement policy actions a) Revise details and specs b) Revise Stormwater Ordinance for Redevelopment c) Stormwater Utility 3. Conduct extensive partnering and outreach 4. Develop technical tools/studies to support GI a) Models / Project Tracking, etc.
Diverse Range of Project Partners Helping to Integrate Solutions and Agency Coordination Lancaster County Conservancy Urban Greening Program PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PA Department of Environmental Protection Lancaster County Planning Commission School District of Lancaster Chesapeake Bay Foundation Lancaster General Health Lancaster Bikes! Coalition for a Bicycle Friendly Lancaster City Local developer representative Local residents
The GI Plan Analyzed Impervious Cover, Land Use, and Ownership to Determine Potential Implementation of Different GI Technologies
Composite prioritization criteria yielded most costeffective green streets opportunities ADA Priority ADA Priority Pavement Condition Street Slope & Other Factors Road Type -Width - Traffic ( Functional Class ) -Ownership (City, State, private alleys) Tree Canopy Flooding locations Overhead Wires Sidewalk Condition Inlet Condition Basin Priority (CSO vs MS4) Lowest Overall Green Street Cost
70% of Lancaster streets have canopy under 30% Frequency 700 600 500 400 300 603 Percent Canopy Cover over Road Width by Road Segment 431 346 408 % Tree Canopy Classes Number of Street Segments Percent of total segments 0% 10% 603 30% 10% 20% 431 22% 20% 30% 346 17% 30% 50% 408 21% 50% 100% 197 10% Total 1985 100% 200 197 100 0 0% - 10% 10% - 20% 20% - 30% 30% - 50% > 50% Street Tree Canopy Cover (%)
ADA Ramps surveyed during Pavement Assessment Condition Rating Score Condition Rating Class Total Number of ADA Ramps 0 ADA Compliant 371 1, 2, 3 Non ADA 218 4 5 Fair 299 6 8 Poor 672 9 10 Worst 77 13, 14 Identified during Survey/CR unknown 569 TOTAL non compliant and unknown ADA Ramps 1835 Includes City-maintained ramps and non-city maintained ramps
Green Streets Prioritization Results Enables cost sharing while integrating green infrastructure into already planned (budgeted) street improvements Provides a plan for 10+ years
Green Street Focus PMP Focus
Greening Complete Streets: Implementation based on Integration
Design and Construction Curb extensions w/ and w/o bioretention for SWM, traffic calming, reduced crossing distance pedestrian safety Street Streets increased UTC Porous paving/pavers parking lanes Bike lanes/shared lane markings ADA ramps; crosswalks Lighting and furnishings Streetscape District and Guidelines Narrow lane widths Improved signalization
Green Streets & Alleys
Changing Alley cross section to provide stormwater capture
Alley 148 Greened for 10% Additional Cost Conventional reconstruction ~$20.30/SF (8-inch reinforced concrete) Green alley retrofit ~$22.40/SF (permeable pavers with infiltration trench)
Brandon Park Wabank St. Curb Extensions
Intersection at Charlotte and Orange Streets 100,000 Gallons / year Cost $0.12/gal
Broad St & New Dauphin Street Green Street
Broad St & New Dauphin Street Green Street 2010 560,000 Gallons / year reduction in runoff volume @ $0.16 / gal
Using Traffic safety and transportation funding to reduce accidents and runoff
Lancaster Brewing Public Private Partnership Rendering by
Using Traffic safety and transportation funding to reduce accidents and runoff 5 MPH reduction in average traffic speed
Integrating traffic improvements improves safety, local business, and brings new funding sources Built with Transportation and GI Grant funds Helps local business
New outdoor seating with Porous Pavers
700 Gallon Cistern functions as public art and irrigates planters
LANCASTER BREWING COMPANY STATE ROUTE CHANNELIZING ISLAND MERGE NO CROSSWALK
CURB EXTENSION PATIO AREA ADA RAMP UPGRADES @ ALL CORNERS BACK-IN ANGLED PARKING ELIMINATE RIGHT TURN LANE NEW CROSSWALK
Public Involvement
Plum and Walnut Awards
Mulberry Street 36
Benefits of Two-Way Operation Reduced speeds Pedestrian safety Improved access Alternative routes
Smart Growth Transportation Funding Competitive based MPO funding Goals of this program Consistent with the County Comprehensive Plan Create complete streets Desire to go to a place rather than through it.
Mulberry Street 39
Mulberry Street - Existing Conditions 40
Mulberry Street - Existing Conditions 41
Mulberry Street - Existing Conditions 42
Project Goals Complete Street Sidewalks already present ADA compliant curb ramps Bike accommodations New pavement and pavement markings Signal modifications Green Infrastructure September 24 2014
Two-Way Traffic Typical Section Parallel Parking with northbound bike lane
Traffic Consideration Identified new traffic patterns Traffic analysis and signal coordination Turn lane warrant analysis balance parking and traffic operations Truck/bus turns - 2 nd lane on Mulberry no longer available for turns 45
Green Infrastructure Provided within existing no parking areas Suggestions for increasing tree canopy (private investment) Biorention Areas Permeable Pavers Infiltration Trenches
New Connection 48
Liberty Street Existing Conditions 49
Liberty Street Existing Conditions
Speed bumps in parking lot during construction Infiltration areas Raised crosswalk Parking lot flow captured and directed to bioretention and infiltration trenches Back-in angle parking Rain garden
Resident parking during construction Flush cobblestone area to accommodate truck turns Roof leaders intercepted and directed to bioretention areas 1/13/2016 52
Public Involvement Two public meetings organized by Lancaster City Alliance Residents concerned about additional traffic and speeding Construction Impacts Road closures to accommodate full depth reconstruction Replacement of on street resident parking Meetings with business owners Understand their needs Opportunity to educate on stormwater utility, encourage private investment in green infrastructure Capture roof leader and parking lot flow prior to entering combined sewer system 54
Summary of Green/Complete Streets Implementation Status Project Name Type Improvements Status Alley 148 Green Alley Porous pavers Complete Alley 42 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete Alley 117 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete Alley 45 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete Alley 56 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete Alley 101 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete Alley 105 Green Alley Porous asphalt Complete E. Fulton Street Green Street Infiltration trench Complete E. Grant Street Green Street Porous asphalt Complete Ocean Avenue Green Street Infiltration trench Complete Spruce Street Green Street Infiltration trench Complete Wabank Street Green Street Vegetated curb extension, crosswalks Complete Broad & Dauphin Streets Green Street Vegetated curb extension, crosswalks Complete Orange & Charlotte Streets Green Street Vegetated curb extension, crosswalks Complete Plum & Walnut Streets Green Complete Street Vehicle and pedestrian safety; GI Complete W. James Street Green Complete Street Vegetated curb extensions, street trees, bike facilities Under construction N. Mulberry Street Green Complete Street One-way two-way conversion, pedestrian safety; vegetated Under construction curb extensions, porous paver parking lanes, street trees, bike facilities W. Liberty Street Green Complete Street Vegetated curb extensions, street trees, bike facilities Complete Hershey Ave. Green Complete Street GI, street trees, bike facilities, crosswalks, rightsizing In design N. Marshall Street Green Complete Street Vegetated curb extensions, street trees, bike facilities In design
So, How are we paying for it?
Federal and State Transportation Funds PennDOT Liquid Fuels Program PennDOT Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program Smart Growth Transportation Program (SGT), Lancaster County MPO PennVest PA DEP Growing Greener PA DCNR - Dirt and Gravel Roads Maintenance Program National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Streets Green Jobs Green Towns
Plum and Walnut Intersection NFWF ARLE PennDOT PA DEP City
A Stormwater Utility is being implemented to provide a Dedicated Funding Source Benefits Equity: fees are determined based on amount of impervious area Reduces reliance on general fund Stable and reliable funding source Policy Considerations were weighed by the GIAC All properties pay since it is considered a fee (similar to water and sewer bills) Level of Service Tiered Billing approach Credits can be provided for a property s on-site treatment of impervious area.
Lessons Learned / Keys to Success Garner political or high level leadership support early in process Start the public education or setting the stage from the get go MESSAGE, MESSAGE, MESSAGE test the messaging and hone as you proceed. Lead by example NOT do as I say, not as I (don t) do! Use stakeholders from all affected rate paying classes and geographical representation on a GI advisory group Use demonstration projects to rally neighbors around the issues and garner their support of the overall program Figure out your funding strategies; use the GI to leverage other funding; and stretch the limited dollars and resources that we all face INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE Grants, grants, grants! Do NOT underestimate the value of educating the public throughout the process
Questions? Contact information Karl Graybill, AICP, City of Lancaster Public Works Environmental Planner KGraybill@cityoflancasterpa.com 717-735-0347 Cindy McCormick, PE, PTOE, McCormick Taylor Project Manager csmccormick@mtmail.biz 610-640-3500